Fabrication and characterization of In doped Li13.9Sr0.1Zn(GeO4+δ)4 electrolytes for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells
By Chen, Feng; Liao, Dongliang; Pan, Xian; Lin, Gurong; Peng, Kaiping
Published in Ceramics International
2022
Abstract
Li13.9Sr0.1Zn(GeO4+δ)4 (LSZG) materials can exhibit proton conduction by Li+/H+ ion exchange in hydrogen atmosphere. It can be used in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) as an electrolyte. In this study, In3+ doped LSZG powders are synthesized by sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermal gravimetric analyzer, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy are used to investigate the effects of In doping on LSZG. All Li13.9-xInxSr0.1Zn(GeO4+δ)4 (LISZG, 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) ceramics exhibit the same phase with LSZG. The dopant of In promotes the sintering activity and Li+/H+ ion exchange rate of LSZG. The optimum doping of In is x = 0.2. At 600 °C, Li13.7In0.2Sr0.1Zn(GeO4+δ)4 (0.2LISZG) shows a proton conductivity of 0.094 S/cm under 0.9 V direct current bias voltage. In addition, the single cell based on 0.2LISZG electrolyte is prepared, and it has been demonstrated that the practical utilization of 0.2LISZG in IT-SOFCs is feasible.